Band goes ahead with Webcast suicide

Members of a Florida-based rock band are to Webcast the suicide of a terminally ill friend during a secret concert on Saturday despite moves to outlaw the gig.

Hell on Earth had planned to stage the event at a venue in St. Petersburg, Florida, but city officials sought an injunction banning the event.

Even though officials have not ruled out the idea that the suicide bid is a publicity stunt for the band, they still decided to go-ahead with the ban.

However, the band remains defiant and insists it will go ahead with the show.

A statement on Hell on Earth's Web site reads: "Due to the overwhelming response and in accordance with an oath, bandleader, BillY Tourtelot gave to his terminally ill friend, the show scheduled for October 4th will indeed take place at an undisclosed location in St. Petersburg City limits.

"It will be broadcast live over the Internet on www.hellonearth.net. The show will include a live suicide by a terminally ill Euthanasia Society member."

According to the band's Web site: "Past band performances have included sodomizing skinned calves and blending dead rats then having fans drink the concoction." ®